This study investigates the pressure drop characteristics, shear stress in packed bed with shear thinning power law type non-Newtonian liquid. A mechanistic model has also been developed to analyze the pressure drop and interfacial stress in packed bed with non-Newtonian liquid by considering the loss of energy due to wettability. The Ergun's and Foscolo's equations were used for comparison with the experimental data. The Ergun equation was modified to account for the effect of flow behavior index of non-Newtonian fluid in the column. The intensity factor of shear stress and the friction factor were analyzed based on energy loss due to wettability effect of liquid on the solid surface. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.